Salmon Are Sacred is calling on everyone who loves wild salmon to participate in ‘The Get Out Migration’, which starts on Earth Day (22nd April) and ends on Mother’s Day. In British Columbia, Alexandra Morton will start the migration in the Ahta River in the heart of the Broughton Archipelago with Quoashinis Lawson leaving the Bedwell River in Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve before joining up en route to Victoria. Other migrations are planned from Gold River, the Cowichan Valley, the Gulf Islands, the Fraser River Valley, Adams River and Washington State.
Join the Action!
Updated schedule:
8:00am – March starts at Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney (9811 Seaport Place)
12:30am – Meeting point: Lana Popham’s Office in Saanich (4085 Quadra Street)
2:00pm – Rally at Centennial Square (1 Centennial Square)
SPEAKERS – starting 2:00pm
Main Stage MC’d by Tamara Hermann, VIPRG and Rick Glumac, Wild Salmon Circle
1. Musical Welcome: August Thomas, Esquimalt Nation. Song(s) in honour of event, located near Spirit Poles
2. Speaker: Cheryl Bryce, Lekwungen. Words of welcome and comments on purpose and intent of event and journey. Main stage.
3. Musical Entertainment: Marimba Mazuva. Main stage
4. Speaker: Tria Donaldson,Wilderness Committee Victoria. Main stage.
5. Speaker: Mary Vickers, Heiltsuk Nation. Main stage.
6. Musical Entertainment: to be announced. Main stage.
7. Speaker: Carolyn Knight reads a statement on behalf of Raincoast. Main stage.
8. Speaker: Tyee Bridge from WSC and Lauren Hornor from Fraser Riverkeeper announce the launch of the Pacific coast SUPS (Stand Up for Pacific Salmon) consumer campaign. Main stage.
ACTIVITIES – starting at 2:00pm
2-3:00pm Salmon BBQ
2-3:15pm Fish on Sticks. Make your own fish-theme artsy regalia in preparation to welcome walkers and take part in procession to Legislature.
MARCH TO LEGISLATURE – 3:45pm
3:00pm – Walkers arrive (Augie Thomas sings in welcome: Northern Nations welcomed with Alexendra Morton).
3:45pm – March along Government Street to Legislature (Masala Percussion group provides music as MIA salmon puppet + the public join Alex and Migration walkers to final rally destination 4pm).
4:00pm – Final Rally at Legislature.
SPEAKERS
MC’d by Arthur Black, from CBC
1. Speaker: Grand Chief Stewart Philip
2. Speaker: Mary Vickers, Heiltsuk Nation
3. Speaker: John Volpe, Scientist, Seafood Ecology Research Group (SERG)
4. Speaker: Vicky Husband
5. Speaker: Fin Donnelly, MP
6. Speaker: Alexandra Morton
Fraser Riverkeeper will be participating in the festivities in Victoria on May 8th, at the march and the rally. Please join us!
Updated news from Alexandra:
Two hundred and fifty people greeted us in Campbell River the heart of the Norwegian salmon farming industry. Hundreds of people honked and waved as we walked the 25 km south on the old Island highway.
However, this is not going to be enough. As a friend walking with me today said, “If you want to be represented, you will have to represent yourself.”
If you want to see BC’s coast produce wild salmon again you need to show up wherever possible, so I am listing the dates of where the Get Out Migration will be, more information is at www.salmonaresacred.org
April 29 Thursday we will be on the highway heading south into Courtenay, We will arrive around 2:30-3:00 at the Exhibition Grounds please walk with us to Simms Park, in the evening we will be at the Komox Native Band Hall 600pm.
April 30 Friday Walking from Courtenay to Fanny Bay 3pm Cowie Creek to Fanny Bay, 4pm Fanny Bay Hall
May 1 Saturday Fanny Bay to Big Qualicum 5-9pm celebration at Big Qualicum River Campground live entertainment
May 2 Sunday 11 am Town of Qualicum Beach 2pm luncheon at Pheasant Glen Golf Course
May 3 Monday arrive Saw-Nas-Aw campground Lantzville
May 4 Tuesday Lantzville Road from Saw-Nas-Aw campground at 7 am to Costco Parking lot at lunch time then walk to Maffeo Sutton Park for a Rally then take the 5:55 Ferry to Gabriola evening presentation at Agi Hall
May 5 Wednesday walk through Gabriola
May 6 Thursday walking into Duncan evening event at 5 – 7pm City Square
May 7 Friday walking Duncan to Mill Bay ferry for 4:10 ferry, 7:30 presentation at Mary Winspear Centre
May 8 Saturday – Walking Sidney to Victoria meeting at Centennial Square at 3pm then onto the Legislature at 4 pm!!! This is the grand finale and the most important part of this effort. MP Fin Donnelly and our west coast Fisheries Critic will meet us there.
It is vital that everyone show up for these events if possible. Ottawa is not going to inconvenience this industry without enormous public participation.
Alexandra
